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PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON. 



It is impossible to contemplate the actions and character of 
Washington — his early and steady adherence to the cause of 
liberty, and his devoted patriotism, without feeling an ardent 
desire to know how so great and excellent a man really appear- 
ed, and how far his corporeal features corresponded with his 
acknowledged mental greatness. This curiosity is of the most 
laudable kind, as it is associated with the recollection of actions 
that his example has rendered illustrious; of virtues which 
he so eminently possessed ; and as it is connected with a vene- 
ration of the principles for which he struggled, and a love for 
the institutions that have been secured to his country. 

Cities may be founded bearing the name of Washington — 
columns may be erected — and his memory be cherished in the 
bosoms of a grateful people; there would, nevertheless, be 
something wanting. Had his features been more ordinary, 
and his expression less distinguished, the rising generation 
would still wish to know his own peculiar look. But when it 
is recollected that his aspect was as noble as his character, and 
that his countenance corresponded with his conduct, it is the 
more incumbent on us to seek for, and transmit to posterity 
the true and impressive image of that countenance. Nothing 
can more powerfully carry back the mind to the glorious period 
which gave birth to this nation — nothing can be found more 
capable of exciting the noblest feelings of emulation and pa- 
triotism. 

Of the numerous portraits of Washington, various opinions 
have been entertained, some of which being founded on acci- 
dental circumstances require here no consideration, and many 
originating in prejudice or misconception have long since been 
laid aside. It will not be uninteresting to pass in review those 
which have been most remarkable either as likenesses or 
works of art. 

G. W. P. Custis, Esq. of Arlington, is in possession of an 



( 4 ) 

orig;inal Portrait painted by Charles Willson Peale in the year 
1772, representing; Washington as a Colonel in the Alexandria 
militia, at the age of 41 — blue with red facings, red waistcoat 
and breeches. The Artist was invited to Mount Vernon, 
where he staid several weeks to execute this Portrait. It is a 
remarkable circumstance that this earliest likeness bears a 
stronger resemblance to the last Portrait, (by Rembrandt Peale,) 
than to any of the other intermediate attempts. 

In 1776, C. W. Peale painted a half-length Portrait of Gen. 
Washington for John Hancock, Esq. President of Congress.— 
In 1778 he painted a Miniature of the General for Mrs. Wash- 
ington. This picture was painted at a farm house in a room 
so small that there was only space for the Artist's table and 
chair near the window — the General sitting on the bedside. 
The Artist has reason to remember this Miniature, for while 
he was in the act of painting it, Washington received intelli- 
gence of the surrender of Burgoyne. This Artist likewise 
executed Miniatures for the Marquis de la Fayette and Miss 
Custis. He painted whole-lengths for the States of New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. — In the last are 
introduced the Portraits of Gen. La Fayette and Col. Tilghman 
— and another whole-length was sent to Spain. Washington 
sat again to C. W. Peale in 1781 for a Portrait, which is in the . 
Baltimore Museum ; for two others in 1783 and 1786, which are 
in the Philadelphia Museum; and finally, in 1795. The State 
of Virginia having voted a Statue of Washington to be erected 
atRichmond, Mr, Jefferson, then in Paris, selected for this purpose 
Mr. HouDON, who was celebrated for the fidelity and natural cha- 
racter of his busts. Mr. Houdon, not choosing to work from any 
paintings, came to America in the year 1783, and, at Mount 
Vernon, having first taken a Plaster Cast from Washington's 
own face, modelled a Bust from the life, only altering those 
parts which were necessary to produce some animation. One 
of the earliest impressions of this bust was sent to Mount 
Vernon, where it still remains. Some copies have been made 
in Philadelphia with drapery added by Miller. The original 
Marble Statue at Richmond by Houdon himself is, necessarily, 
copied from his bust, which is invaluable for the truth of its 
proportions: it is defective in expression, and wants the 



( 9 ) 

cKarm of living colour, but it possesses the same characteristic 
turn of the head which distinguishes the first and last Portraits by 
C. W. Peale of 1772 and 1795. 

Colonel Trumbull, about the year 1786, painted a whole- 
length Portrait of General Washington for the City of Charles- 
ton, of which there is a copy in the City Hall of New York. 
The original of these, which is of a small size and is probably 
at Mount Vernon, is esteemed more like and excellent than 
those in large which were copied from it. It is a beautiful 
painting, with a pleasing, genteel figure, but is considered a 
feeble likeness. 

About the year 1789, Washington ^at to Pine, a pupil of 
Sir Joshua Reynolds, more distinguished for his Historical pic- 
tures than his Portraits. This Portrait by some means, found 
its way into Canada, but is now in the possession of Henry 
Brevoort, Esq. of New York. The head is too small, and not 
well drawn, but there are some traits of living character which- 
render it valuable and interesting. 

Wertmuller, who had been painter to the King of Sweden, 
settled in Philadelphia about the year 1792, and sought the 
distinction of producing a Portrait of Washington, who sat to 
him for a high-finished laborious performance, which is now 
in the possession of C. J. Bogert, Esq. of Long Island. It is 
thought by some to be very like, and, necessarily, has some 
merit; but it has a German aspect, and is so much shaded as 
to represent a dark complexioned man. Wertmuller was near- 
sighted. 

About the year 1792, Ceracchi, a sculptor from Italy, made 
an efibrt to distinguish himself by modelling a Bust of Wash- 
ington, in the style of a Roman General. Those who knew 
Washington can perceive in this bust much that is good 
in the expression of the flexible parts, but it is extraordinary 
that in those parts which are more susceptible of imitation, it 
is far from being correct, of which every one may judge by 
comparing it with Houdori's. R. W. Meade, Esq. of Phila- 
delphia, (whose mansion displays a princely taste in the Fine 
Arts,) is in possession of the Original Bust in Marble, which 
he purchased with a truly patriotic spirit. It is much superior 
to the Colossal heads, by Ceracchi, which are usually seen — 
and in some parts is exquisitely fine, 



(6 ) 

In September, 1795, Washington sat to C. W. Peale and 
Rembrandt Peale, who executed their Portraits of him with 
the same sittings, in the same room, at the same time. The 
Portrait by C. W. P. has ever since been disadvantageously 
seen in his Gallery of Distinguished Characters at Philadelphia, 
The features being very indefinitely marked and difficult to imi- 
tate, but few copies have been made of it. It is esteemed for 
the expression of the eyes and the characteristic turn of the 
head. The Portrait by Rembrandt Peale has always remained 
in his own possession. Several copies are in Charleston. But 
it has chiefly served in producing those repeated attempts at a 
corrected likeness, one of which is in the Baltimore Museum, 
another in the possession of Mr. Macgruder of Baltimore, and 
a third owned by Mr. Young of Washington — and the last ac- 
complished in 1823. 

Gilbert Stuart, having recently returned from England, 
where he was much celebrated, painted his first portrait of 
Washington in the autumn of 1795. He made but few copies 
of it — one of them for Colonel Howard, of Baltimore, and one 
for Samuel Vaughan, Esq. of London, from which Halloway's 
Engraving for Hunter's Lavater was executed. But Stuart be- 
came dissatisfied with it, calling it a complete failure, and sold 
it to Winstanley, the Landscape Painter, who took it to Eng- 
land. At this time Washington had resolved to sit no more, 
and he was with difficulty induced by Mrs. Washington to fa- 
vour Stuart with another opportunity, on condition that he 
would let her have the Portrait when finished. The Portrait 
remains unfinished — a head without shoulders or body in the 
middle of a large piece of canvass — and is the original from 
which numerous copies have been propagated all over the 
world. 

The excellence of this Portrait consists in a peculiar species 
of pencilling, which in a considerable degree marks the ex- 
pression of the countenance; but it may be seen, by a compa- 
rison with Houdon's Authentic Bust, that the features are in- 
accurately drawn and the character heavily exaggerated. It 
was unfortunate for this Portrait that Washington at the time 
he sat to this artist, who had no previous acquaintance with 
him, had a clumsy set of artificial teeth, which distended his 
mouth and prevented his talking, and thus deprived the af- 



( 7 ) 

iist of his usual advantage. In the copies painted from this 
original the faults are frequently exaggerated. The whole- 
length, by this Artist, painted for the Marquis of Lansdown, 
is now in Boston. From this Picture Heath published an En- 
graving in England, in which the head is badly done, and 
much inferior to one by Nutter from one of Stuart's Bust Co- 
pies. A coarse copy from Nutter's Engraving, was published 
on a number of Liverpool pitchers. Many of these are broken 
out and framed, being tolerably good in the upper part of the 
face, but shockingly disgusting in the lower part. The cele- 
brity of these pitcher likenesses is attributable in a very consi- 
derable degree, to the general disposition there is to favour 
every thing which seems wonderful or marvellous, connected 
with great personages. 

At the death of Washington, in December, 1799, his family 
and friends grieved that there was no Portrait of him which con- 
veyed an adequate idea of his mild, thoughtful, and dignified, 
yet firm and penetrating countenance. The same judgment 
which was pronounced by the whole body of Artists in Phila- 
delphia, in the year 1795, when the last Portraits were painted, 
continued to be their opinion ; and no Artist was more sensible 
of this deficiency than Rembrandt Peale, the author of one of 
these last Portraits. The youngest of those whom Washington 
honoured with the opportunity of studying his features from 
the 4ife, his enthusiasm was perhaps greater and the impres- 
sions he received were more sacredly treasured up. Neither 
satisfied with his own, his father's, nor Stuart's, he made repeat- 
ed attempts to improve his Portrait, and to fix on canvass the 
image which was so strong in his mind. These attempts were 
not satisfactory, and, from time to time, while he resided in 
Philadelphia, and on every return to it, he continued his ex- 
ertions, until his last and successful attempt. These attempts 
could only be made in Philadelphia, because it was there alone 
the Artist could profit by the study of his father's painting, in 
conjunction with his own, under the rigid observance of men 
who were capable of criticising a work which had no chance 
of succeeding with them, unless it should accomplish what 
seemed next to impossible; and, that too, when time had al- 
most consecrated the very faults of Stuart's Portrait. It has 



( 8 ) 

been said by a visionary novelist, and since repeated by some 
persons, " that if Washington were to rise from the dead and not 
to resemble this Portrait, he would be received as an impostor." 
This extravagant assertion is of little consequence, while such 
men as Judges Marshall, Washington, and Peters, Major Jack- 
son, Colonel Howard, Bishop White, and many others are 
living, who not only well remember their illustrious friend, but 
perfectly well remember the opinions which they pronounced on 
the Portraits of him, whilst he was alive. These men have seen 
the last Portrait produced by Rembrandt Peale, not from 
fancy, but by means of original Portraits and studies, and they 
have spontaneously declared it to be the best likeness of Wash- 
ington they have seen. After such sentiments were publicly 
declared, it was not merely proper to ask them for their writ- 
ten testimonies, but it was a duty which they owed their coun- 
try to give tlvem to the rising generation. It is impossible to 
withstand the influence of such a host of evidence in favour of 
a work, which will always be viewed as one of the most ex- 
traordinary productions of enthusiastic excitement. The Art- 
ist, born on W^ashington's birth-day, was annually, from infan- 
cy, excited to greater admiration of his character. To study 
this, became a deep-rooted passion, and to save from oblivion 
the most sublime countenance he had ever beheld, was the 
summit of his ambition. How far he has succeeded must be 
decided by the friends and companions of Washington. 



Addressed to Bemhrandt Peale, by several distinguished 
characters, expressing their approbation of his Portrait 
of Washington. 

CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL. 

Washington, March 10, 1S24, 

Sir, — I have received your letter of yesterday, and shall 
with much pleasure, communicate the impression I received 
from viewing your Washington. 

I have never seen a Portrait of that great man which exhi- 
bited sp perfect a resemblance of him. The likeness in features 
is striking, and the character of the whole face is preserved and 
exhibited with wonderful accuracy. It is more Washington 
hunself than any Portrait of him I have ever seen. 
With great respect, &c. 

JOHN MARSHALL. 

JUDGE WASHINGTON. 

Sir, — I have examined with attention and pleasure the Por- 
trait you have drawn of General Washington, and I feel no 
hesitation in pronouncing it, according to my best judgment, 
the most exact representation of the Original I have ever seen. 
The features, as well as the character of his countenance, are 
happily depicted. 

I am Sir, &c. 

BUSHROD WASHINGTON. 

GENERAL SMITH. 

Sir, — In answer to your polite note, I take pleasure in say- 
ing that the Portrait you have exhibited of General Washing- 
ton is a most accurate likeness of that great man. I have no 
hesitation in saying that it is at least equal to any I have ever 
seen and superior to any except one. 



( 10 ) 

I had the honour of a personal acquaintance with General 
Washington during the war, and during six of the years that 
he was President of the United States, and still retain a dis- 
tinct recollection of his features and figure. 

I am Sir, &c. 

SAMUEL SMITH. 

G. W. P. CUSTIS, Esq. 

Arlington House, March 14, 1824, 

Sir, — Agreeably to your wishes I will give you my opinion 
of Peale's Washington. Possessed of four original Pictures, 
reliques of Mount Vernon, preserving on the retina of memory 
his beloved Image, perfect as when last I saw him, felt the 
warmth of his embrace, and heard the accents of parental kind- 
ness from his lips, I can speak of him as he was — nothing ex- 
tenuate, &c. 

The figure is decidedly correct, the complexion rather more 
bronzed than his natural colouring, which was fair, though 
considerably florid ; the eye deep-sunken, blue, mild and 
thoughtful — the never-to-be-forgotten expression of counten- 
ance, venerable from years, which awes and will continue to 
awe the world, not by the splendid attributes of power, but by 
the sublimity of virtue. 

Take it as a whole, the getting up of Peale's Washington, 
its likeness, its classic embellishments and execution, are worthy 
of the subject, and shed a lustre upon the school of American 
Arts, so deservedly celebrated both at home and abroad. 

Accept my best wishes, &c. 

G. W. P. CUSTIS. 

SDWARD LIVINGSTON, Esq. 

Washingtoriy April 2, 1824. 

Sir, — Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of 
yesterday, I give you with pleasure my opinion of your Picture 
of Washington, exhibited here some days since. 

During the last twenty years of the life of that great man, I 



( 11 ) 

had frequent, and, for a considerable portion of that time, daily 
opportunities of seeing and conversing with him. I first saw 
him when I was just at that early age when his character and 
the circumstances under which I was presented to him, were 
most likely to leave the strongest impression of his looks and of 
every thing connected with his appearance. I have seen him 
in the camp, addressing the council of the nation, and at his 
own hospitable board. — In public and in private I have studied 
his features, and they have left an indelible impression on my 
memory, and, I must say that your Picture is the one that 
comes nearest to my recollection of the great original. It 
gives the character and expression of the fsce, as well as its 
features, more correctly than any I have seen — and I consider 
this delineation of the Father of his Country as a valuable ac- 
quisition to us who are his children. 

I will transmit your proposals to the Governor of the State 
of Louisiana, and hope that I shall be enabled to secure for it a 
copy of your valuable work. 

I am Sir, &c. 

EDWARD LIVINGSTON. 

CHARLES CARROLL, Esq. OF CARROLLTON. 

Baltimore, April 1, 1S24. 

Sir, — In viewing yesterday with attention your Portrait of 
General Washington, it brought to my recollection his coun- 
tenance such as it w^as at the commencement of the Revolu- 
tion, when excited by some incident which discomposed his 
usual and settled features, more expressive of thought than 
animation. 

I remain with respect, &c. 

CHARLES CARROLL. 

GENERAL JACKSON. 

Washington, Jipril 7, 1824. 

Sir, — I very cheerfully comply with the request you have 
made, to express my opinion of your Portrait of Washington. 
There is something in it which at first glance exhibits a strik- 



( IS ) 

ihg resemblance to its great original. None who ever saw 
Washington coultl fail, I think, at once to pronounce the like- 
ness striking and excellent. I am highly pleased that your 
exertions have been crowned with great success. 

I am Sir, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

RUFUS KING, Esq. 

Senate Chamber, April 8, 1824. 

Sir, — By the alteration which you made of the Portrait of 
General Washington, after it was first seen by me, the likeness, 
according to my recollection, appears to be much improved. 

I am not competent to speak of the merit of the Portrait as 
a specimen of the Art; but to its fidelity as a likeness, I wil- 
lingly bear testimony. 

Respectfully, &c. 

RUFUS KING. 

COLONEL HOWARD. 

Baltimore, May 4, 1824. 

I have visited the Museum to see the last Portrait of Gene- 
ral Washington by Rembrandt Peale. The features of the Ge- 
neral were peculiar, and all the Pictures, and even Prints 
which I have seen, in some respects resembled him; but, ac- 
cording to my judgment, in this Picture all the features are 
accurately represented. The eyes, the forehead, the nose, the 
mouth, and general expression, so strongly designate the ori- 
ginal, that I think it hardly possible for the art to make a more 
perfect likeness. 

JOHN E. HOWARD. 

GENERAL UDREE. 

Washington, May 4, 1824. 

Dear Sir, — In answer to your letter of the 29th ult. 
wherein you request me to give my opinion of the Por- 
trait of General Washington, which you had last March in this 



( 13 ) 

place in Congress Hall. It is the best likeness that my eyes 
ever beheld — a glow of enthusiasm made my heart warm to 
see it — and I thought that he looked as well as at the battles 
of Brandy wine and Germantown. 

I had the honour to command five hundred men at the out- 
post of the left wing of our army at the battle of Brandy wine, 
■and enjoyed the pleasure of seeing him often afterwards. I 
shall do every thing in my power to have his Portrait in Con- 
gress Hall. 

With great respect, &c. 

DANIEL UDREE. 

GENERAL HARPER. 

Baltimore, May 5, 1824. 

Sir, — In compliance with the request contained in your note 
of yesterda)^, I express to j^ou with great pleasure my opinion 
of your fine Portrait of Washington. I saw him very frequently 
during the two last years of his Presidency, and in the years 
*98 and '99, while he was the second time commander in chief 
of the military forces of the United States. His appearance and 
physiognomy made a strong impression on me, and are now 
very fresh in my recollection. Your painting gives by far the 
most exact delineation of his features that I have ever seen. 
But the expression is, I think, rather that which a person well 
acquainted with his character, who had never seen him, would 
be likely to ascribe to him, than that which actually belonged 
to him. The character which reigned in his countenance and 
marked his physiognomy, was rather that of calm, composed 
wisdom and benevolence, than of vigour, determination, and 
intense thought. The latter qualities predominate in your Por- 
trait. I never saw him look as you have made him look ; but 
it must be remarked that I never saw him in a situation calcu- 
lated to call up the expression which your painting gives him. 
In such situations — in some critical moment of a battle, or 
other great military operation, for instance, it is very probable, 
that as these qualities certainly belonged to him, in a very high 
degree, they were displayed in his countenance. 

I have seen Washington's physiognomy, (perhaps it would 



( 1* ) 

be more correct to say his usual expression,) more correctly 
depicted : but his features and his character, are in my opinion, 
far more accurately represented in your portrait, than any other 
which has fallen under my notice. 

With great respect, &c. 

ROBERT G. HARPER. 

BISHOP WHITE. 

Philadelphia, June 6, 1824. 

Sir, — I received your note of yesterday; and, in compliance 
with the request of it, cannot hesitate to express my approba- 
tion of the Picture exhibited by you of General Washington. 
It would be rash in me to aifect scientific knowledge in the line 
of your profession ; but the impression made on me by the 
Picture, is identified with my recollection of the features, the 
countenance, and, it will not be too much to say, the character 
of that great man. 

I am, Sir, &c. 

WILLIAM WHITE. 

WILLIAM RUSH, Esq. 

Philadelphia, June 7, 1824. 

Sir, — I have seen your Portrait of Washington — I think it 
the best likeness of him, when in the vigour of life, I ever saw 
on canvass. 

I had many opportunites of seeing and observing his person, 
and particularly his face and features, in the time of the revo- 
lution ; I have been in battle immediately under his command. 
T have viewed him frequently on horseback and on foot, walk- 
ing, standing, and sitting. I have seen him at a game of ball 
for several hours, exhibiting the most manly and graceful atti- 
tudes I ever saw. I have seen him dismount from his horse, a 
few hours after the battle of Princeton, and step up on a small 
mound by the way side, with one leg thrown across the crotch 
of an old stump of a tree, reviewing with great anxiety his little 
band, (which had just taken the British 17th regiment,) to 
prevent them from being overtaken by an all-powerful army. 



( 15 ) 

At that momentous crisis, his likeness was worth more guineas 
than the British would have been willing to have given for his 
person. 

In the fall of 1779, 1 had the honour of dining with Wash- 
ington, by invitation from himself at West Point. After the 
war I had the honour of his visits at my house to view my 
work ; so that if any man can form a just idea of his person, I 
humbly think I can. I have modelled him as large as life and 
in miniature, in wood and in clay, repeatedly; and I think I 
have not erred in what I have stated, as to the truth of your 
Portrait of Washington, particularly at the time he was com- 
mander in chief of the revolution. 

The original painting of President Washington by Stuart, 
(not the daubings and wretched copies that have been exhibit- 
ed of him,) was Washington himself, dignified with all the vene- 
rable traits of advanced age ; — yours is him with all the manly 
grace of life in full animation. 

Houdon's Bust of Washington, that was executed about the 
close of the revolution, when his face was full and without 
wrinkle, was the best likeness of Washington at that period 
of his life that ever was exhibited. And no Artist will ever err 
that will copy it, especially if he means to represent Washing- 
ton in a military character. 

Yours most respectfully, 

WILLIAM RUSH. 

MAJOR JACKSON. 

Philadelphia, June 8, 1824. 

Sir, — In reply to your request that I would communicate 
my opinion of your Portrait of Washington, I have the plea- 
sure to assure you that, in striking similitude of features and 
characteristic expression of countenance, I consider it the best 
and most faithful Portrait of the great Father of his Country 
that I have seen ; and I am persuaded that it will be gratefully 
appreciated by the nation. 

I am respectfully, &c. 

WILLIAM JACKSON. 



( 16 ) 
JUDGE PETERS. 

Belmont, June 24, 1824. 

Sir, — I comply, very cheerfully, with your request to give my 
opinion of your Portrait of General Washington. You have so 
many and so respectable testimonies of its excellence, that no- 
thing I can say will add weight to them, or increase the cele- 
brity it has most justly obtained. No one had more frequent 
opportunities of observing both his features and his person 
than I had. To enumerate such opportunities, as you desired, 
would be an endless task. I have seen him, during many years, 
from an early period of my life, in every situation calculated 
to imprint on my mind accurate recollections. Perhaps there 
is no person, now living, who had more frequent occasions to 
know both his person and his character, in his private as well 
as public capacities. I have seen all or most of the Portraits of 
this venerated Father of our Country. The painters of several 
were respectable as Artists, but they have failed in the like- 
ness, and I have never been satisfied with any of them. I was 
therefore most sensibly impressed with the superiority, in this 
respect, of your Portrait ; which, I think, places all others in 
the shade. Without pretending to nice discriminations in the 
execution, I judge from its effect on my heart. You have most 
happily caught the lineaments of his face, the air of his person, 
and the character of his mind. I have seen him a thousand 
times, as he is represented by your able and fortunate pencil ; 
and I do not hesitate in pronouncing yours to be, (in my opi- 
nion,) the only faithful likeness of the great and good character 
yet exhibited. You have done yourself great honour and pre- 
sented to your country an inestimable gift. Those of this day, 
and future generations, may view and venerate, in your per- 
formance, the true Portrait of him to whom they so much owe 
the blessings they enjoy. Meritorious as were all others of our 
revolutionary patriots, without a Washington their exertions 

would have been vain. 

******** 

Believe me very sincerely yours, 

RICHARD PETERS. 



( 17 ) 
COLONEL M'LANE. 

Philadelphia^ July 4, 1824. 

Dear Sir, — Your call on me for my opinion of your For- 
trait of the great and good Washington, brings to my mind, 
on this day especially, the times that tried the stoutest hearts 
in our country. In almost all the trying scenes, from the time 
of Washington's appointment in 1775, until the close of the 
war, I had frequent opportunities to see and mark his impres- 
sive countenance. At the Battle of Long Island in August, 

1776, whilst reporting to him the situation of that part of our army 
engaged on the road from Brooklyn to the Narrows, I well re- 
member his resolute and animated countenance'under adverse cir- 
cumstances : so also at the various conflicts on the Brandy wine in 

1777, until the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British in 1778, 
and at the Battle of Monmouth soon after ; so also, in the cam- 
paigns of 1779, 1780, and 1781, and until Washington laid down 
his commission at Annapolis in 1783, 1 frequently saw and con- 
versed with the Commander in Chief: I was also present at his 
Installation as President, in 1789, at New York, and occasion- 
ally saw him afterwards, until it pleased Providence to close 
his illustrious career in 1799 : I mention the times, in order 
that you may decide whether I am not competent to give the 
opinion you ask ; I will say, then, that I have with pleasure 
examined many Portraits of our departed Chief, but that yours 
is the most faithful likeness of the Original that I have ever 
seen. 

ALLEN M'LANE. 

COLONEL WHARTON. 

Philadelphia, July 12, 1824. 

Dear Sir, — Having had occasion to visit your Gallery oi 
Paintings, I was forcibly struck with the strong resemblance 
which your Portrait of Washington bore to the Original. I 
never had the pleasure of being classed as an acquaintance of 
that great man, but I have occasionally been in his presence, and 
never retired but with the highest veneration for his character. 
His features and countenance were, therefore, as might be ex- 
pected, deeply engraved on my mind. The Portrait painted 



( 18 ) 

by you exhibits the strong lineaments of face and expression 
with which he addressed the squadron of Cavalry from hig 
quarters in this city, after they had escorted him from Chester 
on his way to take the command of our army during Mr. 
Adams's Administration. I pretend not to be a connoiseur in 
the art of painting, nor have I the vanity to believe that any 
opinion of mine can add validity to the mass of evidence which 
you have obtained relative to your Washington ; in my mind 
it bears more resemblance to the living features of our depart- 
ed Chief than any which has ever yet met my view. 
Respectfully, &c. 

ROBERT WHARTON. 

JUDGE TILGHMAN. 

Philadelphia, July 31, 1S24. 

Dear Sir, — I am not a connoiseur in painting, yet, as you 
desire my opinion of your Portrait of Washington, I will not 
withhold it. I have a perfect recollection of the countenance 
of that great man, having seen him a private gentleman before 
he commanded the Armies of the United States, and often 
afterwards. His presence was so commanding that it was not 
easily forgotten. There have been many Portraits bearing a 
strong resemblance to him ; for, indeed, it seemed almost im- 
possible to miss his likeness : but I can say, with great truth, 
that your work, both in spirit and in likeness, surpasses all 
that I have seen. In the best paintings of others, Washington 
is represented with a quiescent mind ; but you have fortunately 
conceived his image, under the excitement of strong feeling, 
and infused into his features an animation and energy of cha- 
racter, which really belonged to him, but are not to be found 
in any other Portrait which has fallen under my observation. 
In a word, I think you have made a happy effort, and congra- 
tulate you on your success. 

With great respect and esteem, &c. 

WILLIAM TILGHMAN. 



EQUESTRIAN PORTRAIT. 



The likeness in the Equestrian Portrait which is now offer- 
ed to Congress, is considered by Judge Washington and other 
competent persons, to be in no respect inferior to the Portrait 
exhibited last year ; and for vivacity of expression and its 
adaptation to the historic character of the Composition, it is even 
thought to be superior. Perhaps no more appropriate scene 
could have been chosen for this employment of the canvass, 
than an allusion to the events of October, 1781, when all the 
valuable traits in the character of Washington were called into 
action, and the most determined bravery employed to accom- 
plish a victory which terminated our Revolutionary struggle. 
This selection of subject has the additional interest afforded by 
the introduction of the generous and youthful La Fayktte, 
besides the Portraits of Hajniilton, Knox and Rochambeau. 

" What can more endear a nation to themselves, than to be- 
hold the forms and exploits of those whose virtues have trans- 
mitted honour to them as an inheritance? What more endear 
a people to their country, its laws, its institutions, than the 
constant renewal to the sight of those scenes, where freedom 
has been achieved, mental character vindicated, and social hap- 
piness established and secured ?" " But if the painter perform 
well his task, the impression made by his art will be second 
only to that produced by the reality. 

" To appreciate the character of nations as of men, it is ne- 
cessary to take into consideration the whole of its component 
parts. We must observe whether a nation has exerted itself 
in arms, excelled in science, been superior in ingenious indus- 
try, or, finally, eminent in the last accomplishment of our 
civil state, the polished gifts of genius and taste. 

" In the progress of greatness, the course of the Fine Arts 
cannot be omitted or neglected. According to the degree of 
their cultivation will be estimated the national portion of intel- 
lectual sensibility and its capacity for advancement in mental 
elegance. The acute discernment of political institutions, the 



( so ) 

prudence and equity of laws, may justly render a people the 
admiration of the world, and the thunder of its arms, and 
prowess of its valour, make it the object of universal terror; 
but the tribute of those affections which bind mankind in chains 
of unity, and link the hearts of nations to each other, is only 
to be won by the demonstration of a superior power in the 
improvement of mental pleasure. A nation is awful by its 
wisdom, tremendous by its arms, lovely by its intellectual 
arts." 



